Hoops Holiday (Hoops 2.50)

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“For the record,” August says, his grin cocky. “You definitely have a crush.”

Kenan’s eyes slit, but he yields a grin. He reaches down to cover Sarai’s ears and says softly, “Fuck you, Rook.”

I give Kenan a quick hug goodbye, and we walk off to catch Lotus and Chase and all walk to the elevator together.

“So you’re on your way to your boss’ party?” I ask Lotus while the elevator descends.

“Yeah.” She laughs and rolls her eyes. “He loves parties and usually recruits me to help, but I told him I had family in town and would roll through later.”

I nod, relishing the news I have to share. Now that we’ve decided I can tell her, I’m like a kid with a secret, about to burst with it.

When we reach the lobby, we wait for the driver to come with our car. I grab Lotus by the elbow and pull her to the side while she and Chase wait for their Uber.

“Hey, I want to tell you something.”

“Sure.” Lotus smirks. “Is this about your new ‘haircut’?”

I just stare at her for long seconds, wondering if . . . no. She can’t know.

“Girl, do you already know—”

“No, it’s not like that.” She looks uncomfortable for a minute. “It doesn’t work like that.”

“It?” I probe, watching her closely. “Are you . . . practicing, Lo?”

She knows what I mean. I’m asking if she’s actually practicing like Mimi did, like so many of the women in our family practiced voodoo until our mothers abandoned it. I don’t even believe in it, but Lotus and I see many things differently.

“No.” She barks out a laugh. “Girl, when would I find time for it with my life? It’s not something you dabble in. It’s something you devote yourself to. I just . . . get a strong sense sometimes.”

She gives me a pointed look.

“Like with your haircut,” she says lightly. “Now spill it.”

I don’t even know what to make of all that, so I just shake my head dazedly and lean forward to tell her my secret.

“I’m pregnant.”

Lotus pulls back to stare at me, her mouth gaping open. I feel the tiniest thrill that she really didn’t know for sure, and relish her delighted squeal.

“Bo, oh my God!” She draws me into a scented hug. “I’m so happy for you. Oh, gosh. I’m gonna be an auntie . . . again!”

“I know! Crazy, right?”

“Does Sarai know yet?” she asks softly, glancing at my daughter already asleep on her father’s shoulder.

“No, we’re telling everyone on New Year’s Eve.” Tears blur my vision for a second. “But seeing you after so long . . . I needed to tell you in person. You’re the only one who knows.”

Answering tears shimmer over her dark eyes, and she presses her lips tightly together.

“Thank you, Bo,” she whispers. “That means a lot.”

“Iris,” August calls, dipping his head toward the waiting SUV. “Car’s here, babe.”

Lotus gives him a double thumbs up, and a smile tugs at his full lips.

God, those lips. I want them all over me.